Sep. 15—City Council has voted to reduce the fines for most parking violations in Reading.
The new fee schedule represents a 30% reduction in most parking fines.
Parking Fine Reductions
The intent is to provide relief for those parking in the city and possibly increase collection rates. But some fear the move may result in reduced revenue for the Reading Parking Authority and the city.
The recent action came after months of discussion and evaluation with Mayor Eddie Moran, representatives of the city and parking authority administrations, and council members Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz and Melissa Ventura.
"My point in introducing the ordinance was obviously not to give a break to individuals to illegally park," Moran said, "but to continue to enforce the law, but in a reasonable manner, where they may be able to pay the fine."
Moran participated in a discussion Monday during council's committee of the whole meeting before a vote on the measure later that night at council's business meeting.
Nathan Matz, authority executive director, kicked off the discussion by briefing council on the fine reductions and anticipated decrease in revenue.
"It would be a net loss to the parking authority of approximately $1.4 million," he said.
Matz calculated the loss by multiplying the old and new fine amounts by the number of tickets issued in the last 12 months.
The total amount of fines issued under the previous rates equals $4.5 million, he said. That figure would come to $3.1 million using the adjusted rates.
The amounts are based only on the fines issued, he noted, and do not include any late fees that might accrue.
The parking authority on average collects about 60% of the fines issued, he said.
Some of the balance remains uncollected, while some trickles in through the collection process, which can include booting or barnacling a vehicle.
Last year, Matz said about $8 million in fines and late fees went uncollected, bringing the authority's long-term total in outstanding fines and fees to about $25 million.
"It's a very large number," Matz said.
Paying a parking fine is not a high priority for most people struggling to make ends meet, Goodman-Hinnershitz said.
"If you look at what people receive, as far as bills, and what they pay, I am sure that this particular bill gets deep-sixed," she said.
The authority will work out a payment plan for those with significant parking violation debt, Matz said, noting the plans typically waive any penalties.
Goodman-Hinnershitz asked Matz if reducing the fines might help increase the collection rate on future violations and result in increased revenue for the parking authority and city.